Stock Down: Week 16

Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have hurt their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that did not live up to the expectations that his contract sets for the player.

Stock Down

Miles Austin– 1 reception for 8 yards pretty much sums up the play and importance that Austin has had since signing his ridiculous contract extension in 2010 that cost the Cowboys millions in salary cap penalties. Austin never lived up to the numbers and will likely be cut next season. He’s not even doing a good job auditioning for a new home at this point.

Andre Brown– While it has been a good story for the bounce back from a broken leg, Brown too often can’t get anything going unless it is against a bottom feeder defense like the Cowboys. Brown managed just 2.5 yards per carry on the day and had a fumble in overtime that nearly cost the Giants the victory. Brown might be back with the Giants next season but between injuries and general play I am not sure how many other teams will be interested.

Julius Peppers– Maybe Peppers knows that his time in Chicago is at an end, but he is going out with a whimper instead of a bang. Peppers has just 6.5 sacks on the year, only the second time in his career he has been under 7 sacks, and none in the last three games. Peppers has had some decent years with Chicago and was named to a few Pro Bowls, but he should be cut after this season. He is not the same player he once was and his salary has been outrageous for some time. He’ll latch on somewhere but he needed to show more this season to be considered a special player at 34 years of age and he has not.

New Contract Disappointment Of The Week

Matt Stafford– Stafford signed a lucrative extension in the offseason more for the salary cap mess that the Lions have found themselves in than anything he had accomplished on the field. Stafford was brutal in the game of the season throwing two terrible interceptions, one of which was run back for a score at a time when the Lions should have been putting the game away. Stafford is the classic example of people getting far too caught up in “arm talent” and draft status than what actually happens on the field. Detroit better hope a new coach leads to better play from their franchise QB.

Featured Contract

Drew Brees signed a one year contract extension worth $24.25 million, all of which is guaranteed, on September 7, 2016 with the Saints. Brees, who had been scheduled to earn $20 million in 2016 will now earn $31.25 million, including a $30 million signing bonus per Andrew Brandt. The contract contains three voidable contract years to prorate the signing bonus. The new contract reduces Brees cap number from $30 million to $17.25 million in 2016. Brees has a no trade clause and can not be franchise tagged when his contract voids. If the contract voids and Brees is not extended the Saints will carry a dead money charge of $18 million in 2019 for Brees. The deadline for the void is the final day of the 2017 league year.